Book Review: The Amen Sisters by Angela Benson

The Amen Sisters by Angela Benson Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (November 19, 2007) ISBN-10: 0446699470 ISBN-13: 978-0446699471

I started reading this book Saturday morning and finished it last night.  I had a hard time putting it down and when I did put it down I couldn't wait to pick it back up to find out what happened next.

I really felt sorry for Francine Amen after her friend commits suicide. Her friend, Toni, felt desperate and Francine didn't believe her when she said she was pregnant by the minister.

The book fast forwards to finding Francine in a mental hospital and close to being released.  Her sister Dawn comes to get her all the while that she herself is struggling with an issue between herself and her husband, who happens to be Francine's former boyfriend. 

The books gives you a chance to reflect on your own self about guilt, shame, etc. with things that happen with Francine.  She is a strong woman to have to deal with the things she deals with... anger towards her from her dead friend's family, especially Toni's brother; blaming herself for things that happened, trying to help others; and make amends.

I will admit though that this book made me a little mad in the end.  I won't give away the ending, but I will say that the two that are together are not the two who I wanted to see together. I was disappointed in this part but the rest of the book really kept my interest and kept me turning the page to read what happened next.  I would love to see a sequel to this book.

Overall I give this book 5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who loves to read books about redemption and love. If Ms. Benson's other books are as good as this one, I will be lining up to read them.

Book Description from the Publisher's Website

After witnessing the death of a former church member, Minister Francine Amen carries the heavy burden of self-imposed guilt. Francine severed ties with the suicidal young lady after she accused their pastor of sexual abuse. Francine's guilt takes a toll on her health and lands her in a mental hospital. After her release, she vows to pull her life and her ministry back together.

But in order to do that she must make amends with everyone she has hurt — including her sister. Dawn Amen, Francine's sister, wants to trust her again but can she? Especially when Dawn so deeply resents the way her husband, Sly, seems to be overly attentive to Francine's recovery. Sly, who runs the family's funeral business, would be better off spending his time making amends to Dawn for his own sins. THE AMEN SISTERS is more than just a story of how two women heal after betrayal. It is a vicarious experiencing of a church culture that often overlooks the misdeeds of those in leadership in order to maintain an appearance of propriety and order.

About the Author

Angela Benson lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Read more about the author and visit her blog at http://www.angelabenson.com/.